Snohomish County schools get PUD grants for energy projects

Ten local schools are sharing grants totaling more than $4,600 from the Snohomish County Public Utility District to pursue projects in energy conservation, solar energy and water quality. The grants also are aimed at encouraging students to consider future career in science, technology, math and engineering.

The grants range from $256 to $500 and will be used for elementary- and middle-school classroom projects and activities. They include additions to a butterfly garden at Snohomish’s Emerson Elementary School and a project to build small cars powered by solar energy at Discovery Elementary School in the Mukilteo School District.

The money for the grants, which total $4,654, comes from the PUD’s education program.

The PUD has been awarding grants to local schools for such projects for more than a decade, as schools are being asked to put more emphasis on science, technology, math and engineering topics, said Jenni Lamarca, the PUD’s public education programs coordinator.

“It’s exciting for us to get kids thinking about the possibility of energy careers,” she said.

A fifth-grade class at Highland Elementary School in Lake Stevens will be studying energy systems and energy transfers, Lamarca said. The students will create a video to explain it to other students.

Teacher Rebecca Fuentes said in an outline of the project that it will be a great way for students to learn about what energy is, what it does and how it can be used more efficiently.

Arlington’s Kent Prairie Elementary School and Marysville’s Sunnyside Elementary School will both be pursuing projects involving electrical circuits and how energy is transformed into light or sound, Lamarca said.

Everett’s Cedar Wood Elementary School will be creating an electronic library of books on the topic of energy and learn how to research energy-related topics.

More than 80 students from Voyager Middle School will use the grant to travel to the PUD’s Jackson Hydroelectric facility on the Sultan River. The trip includes talks with PUD biologists.

Northshore’s Shelton View Elementary School students will be able to learn more about energy concepts, including circuits, machines and renewable energy.

That project also hopes to inspire more students to participate in the school’s annual spring science fair.

The project at Emerson Elementary School in Snohomish involves learning about solar energy by adding 32 solar lights to the butterfly lab, Lamarca said. They’ll also experiment to see if plants close to the solar light grow at different rates than those that are not as close, she said.

Students at Snohomish’s Seattle Hill Elementary School will be learning about the salmon’s life cycle, raising salmon from the egg stage until release in a local stream. The salmon fry twill be raised in a classroom aquarium.

And as many as 135 students from Hillcrest Elementary School in Lake Stevens will be making a field trip to the Adopt a Stream Foundation in Everett.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Fosse will not seek reelection; 2 candidates set to run for her seat

Mason Rutledge and Sam Hem announced this week they will seek the District 1 City Council position.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police arrest two males in shooting at Swift bus

Man, 19, is booked for investigation of attempted murder. 17-year-old held at Denney Juvenile Justice Center on similar charges.

K-POP Empire store owners Todd Dickinson and Ricky Steinlars at their new store location on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood K-pop store wary of new tariffs

Much of the store’s merchandise, which arrives from China and South Korea, is facing new import fees.

Fire department crews rescue climber after 100-foot fall near Index

The climber was flown to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett with non-life-threatening injuries.

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother found competent to stand trial in stabbing death of 4-year-old son

A year after her arraignment, Janet Garcia appeared in court Wednesday for a competency hearing in the death of her son, Ariel Garcia.

Everett council member to retire at end of term

Liz Vogeli’s retirement from the council opens up the race in the November election for Everett’s District 4 seat.

Washington State Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn speaks during the Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s Annual Meeting and Awards events on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Commerce boss: How Washington state can make it easier for small businesses

Joe Nguyen made the remarks Wednesday during the annual meeting of the Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Awards

Snohomish County Superior Courthouse in Everett, Washington on February 8, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Snohomish County, 7 local governments across US, sue Trump administration

The lawsuit alleges the administration put unlawful conditions on funding that includes $17M to the county for homelessness assistance.

Photo courtesy of Tulalip Resort Casino
The creamy chicken verde enchiladas at World Flavors, located in The Kitchen at Quil Ceda Creek Casino.
A dish to celebrate Cinco de Mayo

The creamy chicken verde enchiladas at World Flavors, located in The Kitchen at Quil Ceda Creek Casino, are a tasty treat year round.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Former Monroe teacher arrested again as new sexual abuse allegations surface

Police made the arrest this week after investigating the testimony of a former student who has moved out of state.

A couple walks around Harborview Park as the  Seaspan Brilliance, a 1,105-foot cargo ship, moors near the Port of Everett on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 in Everett, Washington.  The ship is moored until it can offload its cargo in Vancouver, B.C. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
WA ports await sharp drop in cargo as Trump’s tariff battle with China drags on

Shippers trying to get ahead of the import taxes drove a recent surge, officials say.

Everett Music Initiative announces Music at the Marina lineup

The summer concert series will take place each Thursday, July 10 to Aug. 28 at the Port of Everett.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.